Rent War of the Arrows (2011)
3.7 of 5 from 79 ratings
1h 58min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Orphaned as a child, Nam Yi overcame tragic loss to become the most accomplished hunter and archer of his generation. When his beloved Korea comes under attack from Chinese imperial forces, he returns from the forest to discover that his sister, and only living relative, has been taken into slavery by Manchu invaders. Now faced with the most daunting challenge of his life, he must fight to re-unite his family and prove his courage against the greatest archers history has ever known.
- Actors:
- Hae-Il Park, Seung-ryong Ryu, Mu-Yeol Kim, Chae-won Moon, Han-wi Lee, Gu-taek Kim, Kyeong-yeong Lee, Gi-woong Park, Seung-joon Lee, Jae-goo Lee, No-shik Park, Da-wit Lee, Min-seo Jeon, Rye Hei Otani, Hyeon-tae Kim, Tae-yeong Kang, Yeong-dong Mun, Ha-seok Jo, Gil-dong Kim, Je-woo Jeong
- Directors:
- Han-min Kim
- Producers:
- Won-seok Jang, Sung-hwan Kim
- Writers:
- Han-min Kim
- Aka:
- Choi-jong-byeong-gi Hwal
- Studio:
- Cine-Asia
- Genres:
- Action & Adventure, Thrillers
- Collections:
- New waves of Korean Cinema, What to watch by country
- Countries:
- Korea
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 07/05/2012
- Run Time:
- 118 minutes
- Languages:
- Korean Dolby Digital 2.0, Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Audio Commentary by Bey Logan
- Trailer Gallery
- Behind the Scenes
- Making Of
- Showcase
- Aiming for the Bullseye: An Interview with Director, Kim Han-Min (Cine Asia Exclusive)
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Reviews (1) of War of the Arrows
Unwatchable amateurism - War of the Arrows review by Alphaville
Although laughably compared to House of Flying Daggers, this is one of the most poorly filmed of all Korean historical epics. ‘Non-stop action’ raves the Sky movies site. Cue an opening half-hour of boring exposition with acting of Carry On quality. Sometimes you wonder if critics have seen the same film.
The bow-and-arrow action is repetitive to the point of tedium and filmed in fast-edited close-up shakycam with ugly zooms and pans thrown in to add to the visual confusion. The DVD making-of extras show the cameraman stumbling around with the camera on his shoulder as if he’s shooting an old 8mm family holiday. ‘It makes sure to get your blood pumping’ says the Cinema Paradiso review. Yes, with anger at having wasted time on it. This is shoddy am-dram film-making.
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Critic review
War of the Arrows (aka Choi-jong-byeong-gi Hwal) review by Melissa Orcine - Cinema Paradiso
On the day of Nam-yi’s (Park Hae Il) sister wedding day, the Korean village they live in is suddenly invaded by the Manchurians, killing people on site, and ultimately, kidnapping Ja In. Little did these Manchurians know that Nam-yi is a skilled hunter and archer, and he has sworn to protect his only sister at all times.
Once Nam-yi crosses the line and goes across the border, bows will be stretched and arrows will fly. This is ‘War of the Arrows’, a South Korean film that is one thrilling, long chase sequence that highlights the power and ruthlessness of archery never seen before.
‘War of the Arrows’ is written and directed by Kim Han-min, whose take on the action thriller-historical drama is as piercing as the arrows that land on those unfortunate souls. It has been compared to Mel Gibson’s ‘Apocalypto’ in its intensity, little dialogue, and simple plot. Though a period piece, film is unconcerned with giving us a history lesson; it delves more into Nam-yi’s strong persistence to rescue his sister and his unmatched skill with the bow and arrow.
All the characters’ motives are clear-cut, there is a goal here, and lives will have to be lost in order to achieve it, that’s the game plan. With a gritty photography of mountains and trees plus arrows flying in the air – whether alone or a full-fledged attack – there is a heightened sense of danger for those involved. Acting courtesy of Park Hae Il (‘The Host’) is subtle but effective. He lets the fierceness of his bow and arrow speak for himself.
Since ‘War of the Arrows’ dispenses any trite drama, it makes sure to get your blood pumping. There are so little intermissions to catch your breath, everyone’s running and sending out arrows to one another. Blink and you’ll miss how that arrow hit its target. This movie espouses the beauty of archery, more than how it was featured in the person of Legolas in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. You may want to take up archery after this.